Standoff suspect crashes motorcycle in front of police; possible DUI

By
Frank Otto, The Mercury

Monday, June 10, 2013

(Updated 8:20 p.m.)WEST POTTSGROVE — The subject of a Race Street standoff just more than a week ago crashed his motorcycle in front of a police officer while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol Sunday, according to police.

Todd Lewiski, 53, crashed a blue Harley Davidson by the intersection of Grosstown Road and Race Street around 1:05 p.m. Sunday, three blocks from his residence where the standoff took place May 30.

West Pottsgrove Police said Lewiski suffered some head injuries in the crash. A Goodwill ambulance responded to the scene and was set to take Lewiski to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center.

The extent of his injuries is unclear but they didn’t appear to be life-threatening.

Police said Lewiski was suspected of driving under the influence.

Later, court documents revealed that Lewiski was charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence and a multitude of summary charges including driving an unregistered vehicle, careless driving and not having the proper license.

His bail was set at $5,000 cash, which he did not post as of Sunday evening.

He was remanded to Montgomery County Correctional Facility.

Lewiski was already out on $250,000 cash bail, which he posted May 31, the same day it was set. It was paid by a professional bondsman.

According to police and a witness at the scene, Lewiski suddenly crashed his motorcycle in front of a police officer on patrol.

The Harley Davidson didn’t appear to have much major damage, as it was up on its kickstand on a sidewalk near where Lewiski supposedly crashed.

Grosstown Road between Race and Center streets was closed while police investigated and took photos of the scene with Lewiski being treated in the back of the ambulance.

A man who’d been driving behind Lewiski in a pick-up truck towing a trailer diverted traffic off of Grosstown Road down either side of Race Street for about half an hour until fire police arrived. Police thanked the man for his help before he drove off.

The May 30 standoffbegan after Lewiski threatened to cut off his female companion’s head with a machete, according to police.

Lewiski’s alleged threat against the woman also included him slamming a firearm down on a table and saying he’d kill her, a police report said. This all allegedly took place after he’d been drinking vodka and taking painkillers that afternoon.

Eventually, after police set up a perimeter and the Chester Montgomery Emergency Response Team arrived, Lewiski came out of his residence and police subdued him with a stun gun.

He was charged with multiple counts of possessing a firearm and making repairs to an offensive weapon. He also is charged with making terroristic threats, simple assault, using or possessing drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct and other related charges.

According to a search of court documents, Lewiski was arrested for drunk driving in 1992.

In that incident, he plead guilty to driving while his license was suspended or revoked and driving with a blood alcohol content of .10 percent or greater but the driving under the influence of alcohol charge was dismissed in light of his guilty plea to the other charge.